Burning anus or burning sensation in the anus is a common complaint in both males and females. Anal pain can occur in or around your anus or rectum. The sensation can be severe due to the many nerves ending in this region. Different conditions can cause this. Here are the causes, symptoms, and home remedies to treat this sensation.
What causes burning anus while pooping?
A burning sensation in the anus is a common condition. In both males and females, this sensation can be felt after or during a bowel movement. While pooping, this sensation relates to eating spicy foods. The same can also be a sign of a skin disease or condition occurring inside or around the anus.
So what causes burning anus while popping? A feeling of burning sensation in anus accompanied by irritation for a day or two is not often associated with an underlying medical condition. However, when the sensation is accompanied by rectal bleeding or the presence of mucus in stool, then it is most likely to point to an existing health condition.
Here are some of the most likely causes of burning anus:
1. Burning Diarrhea
A burning or chronic diarrhea characterized by the frequent passage of watery stool is likely to cause a burning sensation. The frequent wiping of the anus and the skin around the anus can lead to irritation and anal discomfort.
When diarrhea is the cause of the burning sensation, treatment may include, dietary changes (include plenty of fiber in your diet), taking dietary supplements or having a range of trial medication (your health care provider should ever see this)
2. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids or piles are also a possible cause of burning anus while defecating. By definition, hemorrhoids are enlarged veins located under the skin around the anal opening. A common cause of this condition is excessive straining during a bowel movement.
Hemorrhoid flare-up is common and often occurs briefly. Though they can occur in anybody, they common in people with obesity, overweight, or during pregnancy. In most people, hemorrhoids will clear without treatment.
With this condition, pain, irritation, and burning sensation are typical, especially when attempting to have a bowel movement. At home, treatment may involve applying over the counter corticosteroids to help relieve the swelling.
Medline Plus recommends having a sitz birth to help decrease the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. You can also use a stool softener to reduce straining associated with passing stool.
3. Irritation of the skin
Irritation of the skin around the anus is a common cause of itching and burning sensation after pooping. If you fail to wipe your anus well, the stool left around the anal opening can lead to rectal itching and bleeding.
In children mostly, spicy foods, coffee, or some fruits such as citrus may cause a rectal itching day or two after they are consumed.
Irritation of the anal skin can also from contact with fragrance in toilet paper, soap, or tight inner clothes. To avoid this kind of irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin, make sure you maintain proper hygiene, only use water to cleanse your anal area.
4. Intestinal Worms
The burning anus can be a sign of intestinal worms or parasites. Anal itching and burning sensation in the anus is often a symptom of pinworms.
According to the health line, pinworm infection is a widespread infection in which tiny worms infect the intestine and lay eggs around the anus. In the United States, it is the most common type of human intestinal worm infection. This is according to the center for disease control and prevention CDC,
Intestinal worm, most specifically pinworms, are tiny, narrow worms. They are white in color and half an inch long. Though common in children between ages 5 to 10, this infection can easily spread with close physical contact.
The following symptoms can show intestinal worm’s infection:
- Mild to severe anal itching
- The prescience of worm in stool
- Painful rash around anus
- Burning anus when pooping
If this is the cause of the burning sensation, your doctor or primary health care provider may prescribe oral medication. Since this infection is highly contiguous, it is recommended that all those living with an infected person to receive treatment at the same time to prevent reinfection of the condition.
5. Anal fissures
Having anal fissures can also lead to having a burning anus while passing stool. Anal fissures are tiny or small tears in or around the anus.
When this is the cause of the burning sensation, you will also expect to have other symptoms such as pain and slight bleeding when passing stool.
An anal fissure is often confused with hemorrhoids. The two are, however, not the same, according to the American Society of the colon and rectal surgeons, anal tears are likely to be caused by:
- Hard bowel movement
- Excessive straining when passing stool
- Chronic diarrhea
- Other inflammatory skin conditions
An anal fissure can clear without treatment. In chronic cases, however, proper medication and surgery may be required to heal the tears.
6. After a bout of gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach and intestine. It is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. This is a widespread condition known to cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Though common in young people, it affects people of all ages. In children, this condition is caused by a virus, whereas, in adults, it is caused by bacterial food poisoning.
7. Gall bladder stones
An increase in gallbladder stones increases the quantity of bile that is generated in the body. In such cases, one may experience a burning sensation around the anus as a result of increased bile.
According to the Harvard health publication, a majority of gallstones are made of cholesterol. Around 20% of gallstones are made of calcium salts. Common symptoms of this condition may include vomiting, dark urine, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Burning anus while sitting
The burning anus is relatively common after or while having a bowel movement. As said, different conditions might lead to this kind of discomfort. In most cases, it is not severe. However, when accompanied by other symptoms such as rectal bleeding, then proper medical checkup may be required.
A burning sensation while sitting can be a sign of poor hygiene. If you do not wipe very well or fail to maintain proper hygiene, it might irritate the mucous membrane of the anus. The irritation can result from the remains of fecal matter and bacteria from the bowel.
Other causes of burning anus while sitting will include hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
For mild cases, the burning sensation can be managed at home with simple natural remedies. If the pain persists for more than two days, you will need to have your health care provider look at it as soon as possible.
After ejaculation
When the burning pain in the anus is felt after ejaculation, then the underlying cause of the pain is most likely to be prostatitis. This is the selling or infection of the prostate glands. This condition can be excruciating and hurts a lot.
Chronic prostatitis is often mild and will often start slowly over a week or even months. Common symptoms accompanying this condition will include the following:
- Constant urge to urinate
- Burning pain while urinating or after ejaculation
- Pain in the lower back, around anus and area around testicles
When bacteria cause the condition, it can be treated with antibiotics. At home, you will be required to drink plenty of fluids and have lots of rest. Your health care provider may also prescribe medicine to relieve pain and reduce anal itching.
Burning pain inside the anus
Depending on what the underlying cause of the burning sensation is, the feeling can be felt inside or outside the anus. Inside anus, burning pain is most likely to be felt after rough anal sex. This can cause the muscle in or around the anal region to go into spasm. It could also lead to the tightening of the sphincter, which makes the passing of stool painful. This then leads to anal tears and bleeding.
Burning pain inside anus could also be a sign or a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection such as genital herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.
Just as with the cases with burning sensation around the anus, treating burning pain in the anus will depend on the underlying cause of itching, irritation, or pain.
Pain while passing stool but no bleeding
Pain and burning sensation around the anus while passing stool is often nothing to worry about. When the discomfort is, however, accompanied by bleeding, then an urgent medical checkup is required. In such cases, it can be a sign of a severe underlying medical condition.
Hemorrhoids or piles are often the most likely cause of rectal bleeding and pain when passing stool. This is not harmful and will, in some cases, clear without treatment. Rectal bleeding or the presence of blood in the stool can also be caused by anal fissures or a sign of a sexually transmitted infection.
On the other hand, anal pain while passing stool with no blood can be caused by the following:
Result of eating Spicy foods
Too much intake of chili or pepper can spoil the normal balance of the stomach. This kind of food can irritate the inner lining of the intestine. It may also lead to burning anus when passing stool without rectal bleeding.
Chronic constipation
Mayo clinic staff defines chronic constipation as an infrequent bowel movement or difficult passage of stool that persists for more than a week. Constipation has fewer than three bowel movements week.
Chronic constipation can cause pain, especially when passing stool. Proper treatment for this condition starts with the identification of the actual cause of the condition. In rare cases, the underlying cause of chronic constipation may not be identified.
Pruritus ani
Pruritus ani or anal itching is the other possible cause of pain while passing stool with no bleeding. Anal itching is a common symptom of different conditions.
Common causes of anal itching are skin-related issues, which would include atopic dermatitis, excess anal friction, psoriasis, and improper wiping of the anus after a bowel movement.
Anal itching that causes pain while passing stool can also be caused by a medical condition such as anal fissures, tumor, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, yeast, and bacterial infection.
Pruritus ani can be accompanied by symptoms such as soreness around the anus, redness, swelling, and an itchy rash on the inner butt.
Seborrheic dermatitis and other skin diseases
Pain, while a skin condition can also cause passing stool. Common such conditions would include seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema, among others.
Treatment for relieving the pain will often depend on the actual skin condition causing the pain. Mild cases of these skin conditions will often not cause bleeding around the rectum.
Overcleaning the anal skin
Excessive or roughly cleaning your anus can cause anal itching. When this is done for long, it could lead to the inflammation of the skin around the anus, which could then lead to a burning anus. This does not necessarily cause bleeding; it can, however, cause pain while passing stool.
Constant burning sensation in the anus
When the underlying cause of burning anus is not treated correctly, some people can experience a constant burning sensation in anus. This can be mild or severe, depending on what the actual cause is.
A constant burning sensation in the anus is most likely to be a sign of Poor hygiene, fecal incontinence, Bowel problems, or prostatitis.
Proper medical diagnosis is required to identify the underlying cause of the irritation. This way, your health care provider can prescribe the right treatment to stop the burning sensation.
Treatment for burning sensation in the anus
In most cases, a burning anus is rarely a serious medical emergency. However, when the burning sensation is accompanied by rectal bleeding, then urgent medical treatment may be required. Have your health care provider examine the condition as soon as possible.
Treating anal itchy or a burning sensation in the anus will largely vary depending on what the underlying cause is. When the cause of the burning sensations is an infection, your health care provider may prescribe an antifungal or antibiotic. This can be either topical or orals pills.
Topical steroids may also be used to relieve the pain, itching, and swelling.
In cases of hemorrhoids or piles, health line recommends and invasive treatment option. This would include such things as banding to shrink hemorrhoid or surgical removal of the enlarged blood veins around the anus.
In the course of the treatment, you will need to avoid foods and medication that might lead to itching or irritation, especially during a bowel movement.
Home remedies for burning sensation in the anus
Some simple home remedies might help relieve a burning sensation in the anus. At home, you might try any of the following to relieve the irritation, itching, and the burning sensation in the anus, especially when passing stool.
1. sitz baths
A sitz bath can be very effective in relieving a burning anus, especially when the underlying cause of the irritation is hemorrhoids. It is simply a warm, shallow bath that cleanses the perineum. When used, it can enhance personal hygiene and also provide relief for pain and itching.
A sitz bath can be used after surgery, giving birth, when faced with hemorrhoids, and if you have a difficult bowel movement.
This is what you need to do:
- Fill a bathtub or a basin with some amount of warm water
- Into it add two tablespoons of Epsom salt
- Soak you anus for 30 minutes
- Gently pat your anus dry with a clean towel
- Repeat this twice is a day
You can also install a home sitz bath on your toilet:
- Soothic Sitz Bath for Over The Toilet Postpartum Care, for hemorrhoid and perineal Treatment
- Sitz Baths Install on Toilet for Hemorrhoids Patients with Flush Hose
- Sitz Bath Over-The-Toilet Perineal Soaking Bath
2. Witch hazel
Apply witch hazel on a burning anus may help relieve the pain and inflammation-causing the burning sensation. The anti-inflammatory and strong astringent properties of witch hazel work well to relieve these symptoms.
- Clean your anus with warm water
- Pat the skin dry using s clean face towel then
- Apply a solution of witch hazel using a clean cotton ball
We highly recommend CSM Organic Rose Water Witch Hazel Toner (Check price on Amazon)
3. A cold compress
A simple cold compress is a great way of relieving pain, itching, and pain when passing stool. Simply wrap some ice cube in a clean cloth then apply it on the burning anus. You should avoid placing ice cube directly on your skin.
4. Dietary changes
When the cause of the pain is constipation or chronic diarrhea, a dietary change that involves increasing your intake of fiber can help in controlling some of the symptoms and, with time, stopping the burning sensation when passing stool.
5. Stay hydrated
In cases of constipation and chronic diarrhea, your body loses a lot of water. This can make things worse than they were before. To make sure this does not happen, it is recommended you drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
Drinking plenty of water helps keeps your body hydrated. This may also help control diarrhea and fecal incontinence.
How to prevent burning anus
As shown, common digestive problems can result in pain, discomfort, and burning sensation in or around the anus. Apart from soothing the sensation, they are simple things you can do to prevent the irritation in the first place.
- Avoid anal injuries; this can be done by making sure you prevent irritating your hemorrhoids or straining during bowel movement, especially if you have anal fissures. We recommend you apply a protective cream or essential oil around the anus.
- Maintain proper hygiene; keeping your anus, and the skin around anus clean can also help prevent this kind of irritation and burning sensation. When doing this, use water and mild soap. Avoid scented soap that might be irritating to the skin.
If you have chronic diarrhea or constipation, simply apply a little dusting of cornstarch or unmediated talcum powder to keep the skin around anus comfortable.
- Avoid using dry toilet paper; instead, use water or moist towel that does not pull the skin when wiping after a bowel movement.
- Avoid wearing irritating inner clothes; this will help prevent the irritation that might lead to a burning sensation when passing stool.
References:
- Burning anus after bowel movement: http://www.healthhype.com/burning-anus-rectum-burning-sensation-after-a-bowel-movement.html
- Causes of burning anus: http://www.healthhype.com/burning-anus-rectum-burning-sensation-after-a-bowel-movement.html
- Soothing relief for anal discomfort: https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/soothing-relief-for-anal-discomfort.aspx
- What causes burning diarrhea: http://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/burning-diarrhea#overview1